2014: A summary

Well, this might be a tad late, but it’s better late than never, eh? You might think that being on holiday gives you more time, but in reality it just frees up the time to do things you’ve been putting off.

Anyway, I’m doing it now. And 2014 was a HUGE year for me. It’s the year I became a published author and sold my first short story to a paying market. I did a lot of things, but it’s best summarized. I managed to do a ton of writing, selling over fifteen short stories, seven reviews, three audio podcasts, four interviews, and was nominated for two awards. I produced two short films and watched over 200 feature length ones. I read 50+ books and wrote one of my own. I’ve had my work stolen and translated into Korean behind my back. Yes, that actually did happen.
I started editing a Hugo award winning podcast and subsequently had the privilege of meeting and working with some of my favourite (not to mention biggest!) all time authors such as Peter Watts, Robin Hobb and Allen Steele. I’ve watched too many HBO shows and drunk too many bottles of beer. I’ve met some incredible people and made friends that’ll (hopefully) last a lifetime. I’ve grown as a person and writer (hopefully for the better!) and I want to thank you all for everything, especially for putting up with me and tirelessly reading my work when it’s been shoved in your faces. So a especially big thank you to all my editors who’ve taken the time to pick up a new writer from the slush when they could have gone for thousands of others. Being a published author at just 18 years old (I’m 19 now, but I was 18 when I sold my first one) is never easy, nor is it common. The key to getting published isn’t some sort of secret code or manipulation. It’s white paper, black ink, persistence, and a will of steel. I’ve gotten a mountain of rejections and no doubt will continue to receive them. But that one acceptance letter makes all the difference in the world, and that’s all you need. So keep trying, and don’t ever give up.

I hope everyone has a marvelous 2015, one that involves many books being written, sold and read to hungry readers all over the globe. Support your industry, yeah?